[SOC] A sad Miami story

[Bob Nielsen]

(In true SOC fashion, I originally sent this from an unsubscribed  
address, thereby reaffirming my membership qualifications)

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Miami, Fl (AP) -A seven-year old boy was at the center of  Miami-Dade  
County courtroom drama today when he challenged a court ruling over  
who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten  
by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt,  
in keeping with child custody law and regulation requiring that  
family unity be maintained to the highest degree possible. The boy  
surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more  
than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her.

When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the  
boy cried and said that they also beat him.

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning  
that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the  
judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who  
should have custody of him. After two recesses to check legal  
references and confer with the child welfare officials, the judge  
granted temporary custody to the Miami Dolphins, whom the boy firmly  
believes are not capable of beating anyone.